Welcome to Hyperion Records, an independent British classical label devoted to presenting high-quality recordings of music of all styles and from all periods from the twelfth century to the twenty-first.

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Recordings

'This wonderful music will always need special vocal advocacy and there can be few outside France as equipped as Carolyn Sampson' (Gramophone)'Carolyn Sampson's voice almost inevitably gives pleasure and her singing of this repertoire, strikingly varied in its stylistic and expressive ranges ...» More

A welcome return of Carolyn Sampson and Ex Cathedra to Hyperion, performing the rich, fulsome music of the French Baroque. Their recording of love songs from Rameau’s operas was hugely acclaimed for Sampson’s stylish, fluid, seductive performances ...» More

Soon after her debut, Marie Fel began lessons with the distinguished Italian soprano Christina Somis (1704–1783), who had arrived in Paris in 1734. From Somis she learned an Italian style of singing that equipped her with a technical facility hitherto unrivalled among French singers. Her roles for the next few years were nevertheless exclusively secondary ones: at this stage, contemporary reports emphasize her singing ability rather than her acting. Indeed, it was not until 1745 that Marie was given a major dramatic part, when she appeared as the magnificently zany La Folie in Rameau’s Platée. The extent of Marie’s newly developed virtuosity is nicely illustrated in an ariette from this opera, ‘Amour, lance tes traits’. Here a somewhat embarrassed Momus, disguised as Cupid and carrying a bow and arrow ‘d’une grandeur ridicule’, is exhorted by La Folie to empty his quiver. This ariette is a fine example of a new kind of French aria, thoroughly Italianate in its bravura vocalises and long-held notes demanding consummate breath control. Marie revived the role in 1749 and again in 1754.

(Once again, Folly strikes a few chords on her lyre,
and provides her own accompaniment)

Pleasant games follow my steps!
Careless pleasure, it is within your arms
That our flames burn anew.
If Zephyr did not tease,
Flora would be less faithful to him.
You admire my masterful art;
I lament for joy itself,
With my complaints and sighs.